Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Autism are terms for a group of neuro-developmental disorders. Prior to the May, 2013 update of the DSM-5 diagnostic manual, subtypes were recognized that included Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), Asperger syndrome and others. As a result of the update, all disorders have been merged into the umbrella diagnosis of ASD. The core symptoms of autism are challenges related to:

communication

social interaction

restrictive or repetitive behaviors and interests

Individuals with autism can also experience other difficulties, including medical issues, differences in coordination and muscle tone, sleep disturbances, altered eating habits, anxiety or disordered sensory perceptions. The features, abilities and severity of symptoms vary considerably among individuals with autism.

An individual with autism may display some or all of the following characteristics:

Difficulty understanding language, gestures and/or social cues

Limited or no speech, or verbalizations that repeat or maintain a particular topic

Limited or no eye contact

Difficulty relating or participating in a back-and-forth conversation or interaction